Tribunal Upholds Wammako, Dasuki’s Election

Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto

The National and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Sokoto state, on Friday dismissed petitions against the elections of Sen. Aliyu Wamakko, Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki and Bala Hassan.

Wamakko is representing Sokoto North Senatorial District, on the platform of All Progressive Congress (APC), Dasuki of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is representing Tambuwal/Kebbe Federal Constituency of Sokoto state.

Hassan is also representing Sokoto North/Sokoto South Federal Constituency, on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a unanimous judgement read by the Chairperson, Justice Josephine Oyefeso on behalf of two other Justices – Haruna Muhammad and Eke Eze –  the peritions were dismissed for lack of merits and  their elections upheld.

Oyefeso said the petitioners were unable to prove the allegations contained in the petitions beyond reasonable doubts as required by law.

She said the burden of proving a petition solely lies on the petitioners, adding that the witnesses and exhibits presented were not tangible enough to contradict the electoral body’s decisions.

THISDAY  reports that former Deputy Governor of Sokoto state, Alhaji Maniru Dan’iya, who is PDP candidate in the February 25, 2023 election had challenged the return of Sen. Wamakko and prayed the tribunal to declare him legitimate winner and duly elected Senator.

He argued that Wamakko was not qualified to contest the election as he did not attached copies of his credentials while completing Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) forms, therby flouting electoral guidelines.

Bala Kokani of APC had challenged the election of Dasuki on the grounds that Dasuki did not score the majority of lawful votes cast during the February 25 elections. 

Kokani prayed the tribunal to declare him winner as the candidate that scored the majority of lawful votes or order for supplementary elections, alleging the election was marred by violence and other irregularities.

Abubakar Abdullahi, the candidate of PDP during the poll challenged the election of Hassan of APC on the grounds that the election was marred by irregularities and Hassan was not qualified to contest the said election.

In reaction to his affirmation, Dasuki extended a hand of fellowship to his opponents, saying development is a collective efforts.

He promised effective representation, stressing he would do everything possible to attract development to his constituency. 

Dasuki who is a former commissioner in the state, disclosed that in no distant time his constituency will reap the dividends of democracy.